Preparation for Marriage
Preparing the young ones for marriage began at puberty stage. This was the period that the boys and girls appeared to be ready for marriage life.
The boys were taught
by their uncles and the girls by their aunts. The teaching involved marriage
related issues,
The girls were taught
to keep their virginity. Virginity proved toe moral uprightness of the girl.
The girl was also taught
motherly experiences including menstruation, breast feeding and giving birth.
In some cultures,
there were initiation ceremonies like circumcision. Among the Bagisu, male
children were circumcised to show their maturity and readiness for marriage.
The boys were
encouraged to identify potential partners and inform the uncles or parents
accordingly
In some societies,
the girls ready for marriage were kept away from the public. During this
isolation, she was made to undergo the process of beautification.
The families of the
boy and the girl were introduced to each other. This involved declaring marriage
intention,
The boy's family
would arrange bride wealth and inform the family of the girl about their
readiness.
The girl's family was
expected to respond to the declared intention of marrying their daughter.
On the day of the
marriage ceremony, the groom's family presented gifts to the family of the
bride. Hems like domestic animals, back cloth and alcoholic drinks were among
those delivered.
In some cultures, the
boy and the girl would be allowed to have the first sexual intercourse on that
day under the supervision of the aunt.
Licensed under the Developing Nations 2.0
A complete talking Book for Uganda certificate of Education